How to Live with Critics

The New York Times June 18th BookReview author Adam Kirsch says, “The artist can look away from criticism, because the creative act involves a difficult self-assertion, which might be compromised by even a small degree of doubt, however, who demand the total appreciation an artist longs for, are extremely dangerous. By suggesting that all criticism of their ideas and plans is invalid, nothing but the product of malice, they make public deliberation impossible. We will always need political dreamers; but for the sake of our democracy, we must hope that the future belongs to the critics.”